The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment aid fell to a seasonally adjusted 305,000, the second-lowest level in six years. The decline shows that companies are laying off fewer workers.

However, some states are showing a rise in unemployment applications, with California the faraway leader of the pack as technology issues were resolved. No states reported large decreases in applications. The state-level data are for the week ended Sept. 14, one week behind the national figures.

States with the biggest increases:

California: Up 22,611, as the state processed applications delayed from previous weeks by computer upgrades.

Florida: Up 3,946, due to layoffs in agriculture, construction, manufacturing and retail.

Georgia: Up 2,690, due to layoffs in manufacturing, administrative and support services, hotels and restaurants.

Nevada: Up 2,504, as the state processed applications delayed from previous weeks by computer upgrades.

New York: Up 1,871, due to layoffs in public administration, construction and food service.